How long does it take to learn to play the mandolin? Steve Gray has been playing for nearly forty years and still doesn’t have the answer. As with many instruments, it is relatively easy to take the first steps and to play some recognisable tunes. To become a player you will find that regular practice is the only way to get a lasting reward from your instrument.

We asked Steve how he got started: “I suppose it had something to do with Lindisfarne, a local band with a unique sound – and part of that sound was the mandolin. There were plenty of guitarists at school and most of them had been playing longer than me, so by taking up the mando I was able to add something different. I can’t remember it being difficult to learn – I taught myself – but I am still learning new tricks and techniques now. It’s a lifelong process and I still love it.”

Steve has played in folk-rock bands (the Folk Pistols, Jack O’Ryan Band), for ceilidhs (the Redheughers, Northern Lights) and in accoustic folk bands (Bodhran, Bodhran). He is now a regular tutor at Core Music with Club Mando and also offers individual tuition.

Steve’s next venture, later this year, is to provide mandolin taster courses in village halls in Tynedale. “I am planning to run 6-week courses for small numbers of people – ideally half-a-dozen at a time – to introduce them to the mandolin. If you have played another instrument before that is fine, but we will be starting entirely from scratch – no experience is necessary! My aim is for us to learn a tune a week, and in doing so figure out tuning, some scales and pick direction.”

So – 6 weeks to learn the mandolin? You will certainly not master it in that time, but it could be just long enough to start you on a lifetime enthusiasm for the mando. If you are interested in Steve’s taster courses let Mike at Core Music (01434 601993) have your contact details,  or contact Steve direct on steve@mandolinking.org.uk.

Steve and Core Music may also be able to provide mandolins for hire for the duration of the course – so you don’t even have to own your own mando to get started. Just ask for details.